Ian tells the waiter, "Highland scotch, if you have it. If not, I'll take tea with milk." Turning back to his compatriots, "I cannae say whether our impromptu reunion is good or bad for the city but I do know it will be exciting. Dull we are not."

The waiter returned with a pair of glasses. Ian spooned some water from one glass into the amber liquid of the other and took a small sip.

"Clynelish. Excellent. Karl is here on business. You mentioned seeking backing from someone named Conroy, correct?

"As for my botanical pursuits, it is now my hope that Burt and Leland will be kind enough to assist me with my inquiries. The three of us coming together here and now is more than chance. You've seen this flower before and doubtless understand my zeal."

After a few minutes of greetings and handshakes. The group of you,at the bar are talking when the Englishman from the room just off the lobby of The Golden Horn Hotel, strides in among you and says “Well, indeed this is a sight, that you have come upon Brookfield! Ah Herr Stein, you and I have some business to attend to later, but that can wait. Oh, and Captain Blackstone, I could not have expected you to be here, excellent! Excellent! This twentieth of December has turn out to be a momentous day indeed!”

I pardon my intrusion, I have not been introduced to the rest of you I am Niles Conroy” I have just concluded some business there in the Common Sitting Room as they call it, please join me here.

Leading a couple of the new comers, Volos and Ian if he can manage it, to the Sitting Room is as you would expect a proper gentleman’s club room to be. Large deep chairs, marble tables, wood paneled walls and thinly veiled windows, providing most of the light in the room. (Karl was in the Dining Room, unaware his new patron was here), as you take your seats Niles spouts apparently into the air “Aytekin Raki!” and within a few more minutes appear a young local boy with a bottle and glasses, for the clear drink.



Now then what does bring the rest of you to Istanbul? Hmm?

:OOC: Blackstone wants to use one of his contacts to put feelers on the ground about his father, and any interesting situations that might be arising. Then he joins the others.


A few paces behind everyone, Blackstone enters the room just as Conroy calls for the liquor.

"Raki? Now THAT's an idea..." He takes a seat confidently, smiling at the others, extracting a cigar from a coat pocket. He neatly bites the end off, spitting it only somewhat discreetly into a large, brass ashtray, and lighting it with his Ronson Wonderlite. He a few strident puffs before tucking it back in his pocket and looking back up.

"I have a few personal... loose ends to tie up, Mr. Conroy. Nothing terribly interesting... It seems we're at a disadvantage. You obviously know us, but we know nothing of you. Tell us about yourself."

:OOC: Is this where I use my stunt, "Five Minute Friends?" Please bear with my questions and fumbling through the system. I am new to it...

"Ja, Herr Conroy," said Karl as he pulled a small pad & pencil from his inner coat pocket. "Captain Blackstone has come to an issue I would have broached diese abend, especially if you are to be my benefactor. Who are you? what is it that you do?" Karl continues to listen as he begins a draft of an electronic circuit.

Volos, smoking in the turkish fashion, lazily allows the smoke to drift from his lips. "So, Captain, it's not the usual mysterious benefactor business? I do miss the shadowy figures in the back room we're never able to trust."

"Well, Volos," Blackstone says, arching an eyebrow. "It's a bit... done. Don't you think?"

Burt smiles and keeps drinking his tea.

Conroy raising an eyebrow. “Indeed gentlemen! Perhaps during the excitement of Mister Brookfield's and my adventure to Africa and Egypt I have not made an impression upon you. But I understand that I am but a wall flower to you more “adventurous” types.”

Taking a sip of his raki, and his face returning to his normal deadpan look

“Pardon me if I have I overstepped my bounds and intruded upon your brotherhood.

Perhaps if Burt would be more “giving” in his information... I do say, that I believe that the constant study of ancient legends and loosely founded myths, to the more... mundane people, has addled his mind.

Oh, but I digress you all must have your answer.

Burt and I met during “The War” while I was stationed at Leed's doing research in intelligence. Burt has been assigned to my unit to provide analysis of some unusual activities in the German military involving some radical ideals that, well, as you understand that we will not go into now. I was just a schoolteacher who has been mistakenly given the rank of Major and command over the group doing the research.

But upon finding him exemplary in his “field” if you will pardon the pun. I was intrigued to find out more about Mr Brookfield.

But the long story aside, his singularly shared with my own tedious background as provided an opportunity to become a much needed member of fraternity of sorts.

I say needed, because of “The Great War”. A shockingly large number of people have passed on, depriving us of the old guard and potential candidates for membership . Leaving a good deal of... resources... to the Club and few to administer it.

And that is where you come in Herr Stine, I believe it will be soon that the Club will set about its original mission again to help in giving hope to the future. I think it is, in part, of the duty of engineers such as yourself, that will build this new future in a positive way.”

Mr. Conroy leans forward to poor more of the raki into his glass and takes a look about to see if there are any questions so far, and see if anyone has been following his round about explanation.

Yeah. I remember telling you about him. It was right after I made a copy of those etchings that...

Wait. I didn't tell you did I? Lost in my work again? Regardless, Niles and I saw some rough times. He's on the up-and-up, I tell you. The Club is too. I'm sure whatever Niles, or the Club, has in mind, you fellas'll want to hear it out.

I am in the same situation, the rules have not become second nature to me so working these things out is a great help to me at least and perhaps anyone else reading. But as we are attempting to do this PBP, a strict interpretation of the rules will be impractical, so I will just be using them as a framework and get on with the story telling - Okay?
Unless otherwise needed I will keep the dice rolling transparent to you guys just so it does not interfere too much. Okay?



As I had not done any specifications of how or when you met in Istanbul things are a little mixed between the train station and the hotel, but no matter. I will presume that putting your “feelers” out would have been attempted prior to your arrival at The Golden Horn Hotel.

We will count this as several rolls throughout the situation of your Fair: Rapport, Contacting skills. And you may use your “The Phantom Brigade!” Aspect to re-roll or modify +2 by contacting or confirming information with brigade folks in Istanbul. Once only .

I will set the general difficulty of Superb to “Gather Information” on “father” (yeah I know its high but...muhhahhhaha)
and “Getting the Tip Off” and any interesting situations that might be arising” will be at Good.

So for the time being there will be times that you can make the contact, make a roll, decide if you want to modify the roll then get the information. You wont know if it about your father or another situation until then, just to make it interesting.


Actually you HAVE met before so this would not be effective, we are not making the improbable possible here.